Photodetector, diffraction grating, optical pickup and optical disc apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a photodetector capable of generating highly accurate tracking and focusing error signals free of variations in light quantity caused by interference, in an optical pickup with a two-wavelength multilaser. The photodetector comprises first three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a first wavelength and second three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. The distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the first three light receiving areas is longer than the distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the second three light receiving areas.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese applicationsSerial No. JP 2005-213606, filed on Jul. 25, 2005 and Serial No. JP2006-044644, filed on Feb. 22, 2006, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by references into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a photodetector for use in read orwrite of an optical disc, a diffraction grating, an optical pickup, andan optical disc apparatus.

An optical pickup has been heretofore known that carries atwo-wavelength multilaser thereon and uses a DPP method for generationof a tracking error signal and an astigmatic method for generation of afocusing error signal. In such an optical pickup, detection areapatterns in a photodetector are formed in 3 rows×2 columns and atracking error signal and a focusing error signal are generated inaccordance with signals provided from the detection areas. See, forexample, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-open No.2003-272218).

A technique is also known which simplifies the detection area patternsof 3 rows×2 columns described in Patent Literature 1 to reduce the costof the photodetector. See, for example, Patent Literature 2 (JapanesePatent Laid-open No. 2005-85369).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, in a case of using the two-wavelength multilaser light source,since the respective optical paths of a DVD and a CD are almostcoincident with each other, not only a light beam of the DVD but also alight beam of the CD is incident on a diffraction grating dedicated to aDVD and likewise not only a light beam of the CD but also a light beamof the DVD is incident on a diffraction grating dedicated to the CD. Asa result, for example from the light beam of the DVD, a sub-light beam 1is generated by the diffraction grating dedicated to the DVD and asub-light beam 2 by the diffraction grating dedicated to the CD. In thiscase, the sub-light beam 1 is used for tracking control, whereas thesub-light beam 2 becomes an extra disturbance component. That is, theextra disturbance component generated when light beams passes throughthe respective diffraction gratings is likely to enter the respectivephotodetectors for the DVD and CD and be added as an extra signalcomponent.

If an overlapping area of both sub-light beams 1 and 2 are created onthe photodetector, the sub-light beams 1 and 2 interfere with each othereven upon a slight change in optical path length in the overlappingarea. Therefore, if there occurs for example tilting of the disc or anaxial deviation, the amount of light detected in each photodetectorvaries greatly, which causes a variation of the tracking error signaland focusing error signal and thus making a stable position controldifficult. Consequently, it may become impossible to effect read andwrite in a satisfactory manner.

These problems are found also in Patent Literatures 1 and 2. Forexample, according to the technique described in Patent Literature 1, asshown in FIG. 14, not only the original sub-light beam 1 but also thesub-light beam 2 overlaps in the detection areas for a DVD (theleft-hand detection areas out of the detection areas of 3 rows×2columns). This is also the case with the detection areas for a CD (theright-hand detection areas out of the detection areas of 3 rows×2columns).

Further, according to the technique described in Patent Literature 2, asshown in FIG. 2B, 050 and 051 are generated as light beams 2 from a DVDoptical beam by the diffraction grating dedicated to CD and 052 and 053are generated as light beams 2 from a CD optical beam by the diffractiongrating dedicated to a DVD. As a result, the overlapping areas of thesub-light beam 2 are created in addition to the original sub-light beam1.

The present invention has been accomplished in view of theabove-mentioned problem and it is an object of the invention to providea photodetector, a diffraction grating, an optical pick up and anoptical disc apparatus that permit stable read or write operation of anoptical information recording medium.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the photodetectoraccording to the present invention includes a first light receiving areaadapted to receive a light beam emitted from a laser light source of afirst wavelength and split by first and second diffraction gratings anda second light receiving area adapted to receive a light beam emittedfrom a laser light source of a second wavelength longer than the firstwavelength and split by the first and second diffraction gratings. Thefirst light receiving area is disposed at a position where, when a lightbeam is emitted from the laser light source of the first wavelength, thelight beam split by the first diffraction grating enters the first lightreceiving area and the light beam split by the second diffractiongrating does not enter the first light receiving area. The second lightreceiving area is disposed at a position where, when a light beam isemitted from the laser light source of the second wavelength, the lightbeam split by the first diffraction grating does not enter the secondlight receiving area and the light beam split by the second diffractiongrating enters the second light receiving area.

The diffraction grating according to the present invention includes afirst grating pattern for splitting a light beam emitted from a laserlight source of a first wavelength into at least three light beams and asecond grating pattern for splitting a light beam emitted from a laserlight source of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelengthinto at least three light beams. The width of a grating groove in thefirst grating pattern and that of a grating groove in the second gratingpattern are made different from each other.

The optical pickup according to the present invention includes a firstlaser light source for emitting a light beam of a first wavelength, asecond laser light source for emitting a light beam of a secondwavelength longer than the first wavelength, the above diffractiongrating for splitting the light beam emitted from the first or thesecond laser light source into at least three light beams, an objectivelens for condensing a light beam onto an optical information recordingmedium, and the above photodetector which receives light reflected fromthe optical information recording medium.

The optical disc apparatus according to the present invention includesthe above optical pickup, an information input section for inputting aninformation signal, and a recording signal generating section forgenerating a signal to be recorded to the optical information recordingmedium from the information inputted from the information input sectionand outputting it to the optical pickup.

According to the present invention it is possible to provide thephotodetector, diffraction grating, optical pickup and optical discapparatus all capable of effecting stable read or write operation of anoptical information recording medium.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, objects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following description whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates an optical detector according to a first embodimentof the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a conventional photodetector;

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic construction of an optical pickupaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an ideal diffraction grating according to athird embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a disturbance light beam in an actualdiffraction grating according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates grating patterns of the diffraction grating accordingto the third embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a layout of spots on an optical disc in thethird embodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates grating patterns of a diffraction grating accordingto a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic construction of an optical pickupaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the relationship between effectivediameters of light beams incident on a diffraction grating in the fifthembodiment and a component error;

FIG. 11 illustrates an internal connection of a photodetector accordingto a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a schematic construction of an optical discapparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate the layout relationship of light beamsdirected onto a photodetector according to an eighth embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a conventional photodetector;

FIG. 15 illustrates a schematic construction of an optical pickupaccording to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 16A and 16B schematically illustrate a grating pattern of adiffraction grating and light beams split by the diffraction grating inthe ninth embodiment;

FIG. 17 illustrates the layout relationship of light beams radiated ontoa photodetector in the ninth embodiment;

FIG. 18 illustrates a schematic construction of a photodetectoraccording to a tenth embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 19A to 19D illustrate grating patterns of a diffraction gratingaccording to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An optical disc permitting read or write operation of a DVD (DigitalVersatile Disc) and a CD (Compact Disc), as well as an optical pickupmounted on the optical disc, a photodetector mounted on the opticalpickup, and a diffraction grating, will be described in the followingembodiments of the present invention by way of example.

The present invention will be described in detail by way of thefollowing embodiments, provided the invention is not limited thereby.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment of the present invention will now be described indetail with reference to FIG. 1. A photodetector according to the firstembodiment will here be described.

FIG. 1 illustrates the photodetector of the first embodiment. In thephotodetector, indicated at 001, there are six detection areas 002, 003,004, 005, 006 and 007. Each detection area is divided in four. Morespecifically, the detection area 002 has detection surfaces A, B, C, D,the detection area 003 has detection surfaces E1, E2, E3, E4, thedetection area 004 has detection surfaces F1, F2, F3, F4, the detectionarea 005 has detection surfaces A′, B′, C′, D′, the detection area 006has detection surfaces E′1, E′2, E′3, E′4, and the detection area 007has detection surfaces F′1, F′2, F′3, F′4.

The detection areas 002, 003 and 004 receive DVD light beams. Morespecifically, the detection area 002 receive a DVD main light beam andthe detection areas 003 and 004 receive DVD sub-light beams 011 and 012,respectively.

The detection areas 005, 006 and 007 receive CD light beams. Morespecifically, the detection area 005 receives a CD main light beam andthe detection areas 006 and 007 receive CD sub-light beams 014 and 015,respectively.

It is assumed that a DVD and a CD adopt a differential astigmatic methodfor generation of a focusing error signal and DPP for generation of atracking error signal. A detailed description of the differentialastigmatic method will here be omitted because of a known technique. Thesignals detected from the photodetector 001 include a total main lightbeam quantity, as well as a focusing error signal and a tracking errorsignal, in each of DVD and CD optical systems. It is possible to obtainthe detected signals in accordance with the following arithmeticexpressions (1) to (6):DVD total main light beam quantity=A+B+C+D  (1)CD total main light beam quantity=A′+B′+C′+D′  (2)DVD focusing errorsignal=[(A+C)−(B+D)]+k×{[(E1+E3)−(E2+E4)]+[(F1+F3)−(F2+F4)]}  (3)CD focusing errorsignal=[(A′+C′)−(B′+D′)]+k′×{[(E′1+E′3)−(E′2+E′4)]+[(F′1+F′3)−(F′2+F′4)]}  (4)DVD tracking errorsignal=[(A+D)−(B+C)]−k×{[(E1+E4)−(E2+E3)]+[(F1+F4)−(F2+F3)]}  (5)CD tracking errorsignal=[(A′+D′)−(B′+C′)]−k′×{[(E′1+E′4)−(E′2+E′3)]+[(F′1+F′4)−(F′2+F′3)]}  (6)

In the above expressions, k and k′ represent coefficients for correctionof an optical quantity ratio between main and sub-light beams.

In a case of using a two-wavelength multilaser and adopting DPP forgeneration of a tracking error signal, it is necessary that suchdetection areas of 3 rows×2 columns as shown in FIG. 1 be provided. Thisis because a DVD light beam emitting point position and a CD light beamemitting point position are different from each other and therefore twocolumns of detection areas are needed and further because sub-lightbeams are needed for generation of tracking error signals by DPP in botha DVD and a CD.

DPP uses diffraction gratings for generation of main and sub-lightbeams. Since the guide groove spacing is different between a DVD and aCD, optimal irradiation positions of main and sub-light beams on discare different between DVD and CD. Therefore, it is necessary that adiffraction grating used in DVD and that used in CD be different ingrating pattern from each other.

In a case of using the two-wavelength multilaser, optical paths in a DVDand a DC are almost coincident with each other. Therefore, it isinevitably required that diffraction gratings be disposed on the sameoptical path in both a DVD and a CD.

That is, not only DVD light beams but also CD light beams are incidenton the diffraction grating dedicated to a DVD, likewise, not only CDlight beams but also DVD light beams are incident on the diffractiongrating dedicated to a CD. As a result, from the DVD light beams, DVDsub-light beams 011 and 012 are generated by the diffraction gratingdedicated to the DVD and disturbance light beams 020 and 021 aregenerated by the diffraction grating dedicated to the CD. Further, fromthe CD light beams, CD sub-light beams 014 and 015 are generated by thediffraction grating dedicated to CD and disturbance light beams 022 and23 are generated by the diffraction grating dedicated to the DVD.

If such disturbance light beams overlap for example sub-light beams onthe photodetector, the resulting interference acts as a cause of a greatvariation of tracking and focusing error signals. To avoid such avariation, the photodetector of this embodiment is constructed so as toprevent main and sub-light beams from overlapping the disturbance lightbeams on the photodetector.

In this embodiment, the photodetector includes DVD light beam receivingdetection areas 002, 003 and 004 arranged in one column at predeterminedintervals and CD light beam receiving detection areas 005, 006 and 007arranged next to the detection areas 002, 003 and 004 in one column atpredetermined intervals. In the photodetector thus constructed, thespacing of the three detection areas 002, 003, 004 and that of the threedetection areas 005, 006, 007 are made different from each other.

More specifically, the detection areas 002, 003 and 004 are arranged atrespective positions where, when a light beam is emitted from the laserlight source for a DVD, light beams 011 and 012 split by the diffractiongrating for a DVD enter and light beams 020 and 021 split by thediffraction grating for a CD do not enter.

That is, according to the layout in question, DVD light beams diffractedby the diffraction grating for CD are directed outside the detectionareas 002 to 004, more specifically, directed to the area between thedetection areas 002 and 003 and the area between the detection areas 002and 004, while CD light beams diffracted by the diffraction grating forDVD are directed outside the detection areas 013 to 015. For incidenceof light beams as in FIG. 1 it is necessary to improve the structure ofthe diffraction gratings, but a description on this point will be givenlater.

In the photodetector of this embodiment, the spacing of the threedetection areas 005, 006 and 007 for CD light beams longer in wavelengththan DVD light beams is made small.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate the conventional photodetector described inPatent Literature 2. More particularly, FIG. 2A illustrates a layout oflight spots on a photodetector 030 in a case of using an idealdiffraction grating, while FIG. 2B illustrates a layout of light spotson the photodetector 030 in a case of using an actual diffractiongrating.

A description will be given below first in connection with FIG. 2A.

The photodetector 030 is composed of three detection areas 031, 032 and033. The detection area 031 has detection surfaces A, B, C, D, E and F,the detection area 032 has detection surfaces G1, H1, I1 and J1, and thedetection area 033 has detection surfaces G2, H2, I2 and J2.

The detection area 031 receives a DVD main light beam 040 and a CD mainlight beam 043, and the detection areas 032 and 033 receive a DVDsub-light beam 041 and a CD sub-light beam 044, and a DVD sub-light beam042 and a CD sub-light beam 045, respectively.

In comparison with the photodetector 001 the photodetector 030 isconstructed to have the number of detection areas subtracted three fromsix.

It is assumed that the photodetector 030 adopts a differentialastigmatic method for generation of a focusing error signal and DPP forgeneration of a tracking error signal for a DVD, while adopting anastigmatic method for generation of a focusing error signal and DPP forgeneration of a tracking error signal for a CD. Therefore, the detectionareas 032 and 033 are each divided in four for only DVD sub-light beamsand is divided in two for CD sub-light beams.

Using a two-wavelength multilaser and adopting DPP for generation of atracking error signal may cause a disturbance light beam as notedearlier. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, disturbance light beams 050 and051 are generated from the DVD light beam by a diffraction gratingdedicated to a CD and disturbance light beams 052 and 053 are generatedfrom the CD light beam by a diffraction grating dedicated to a DVD.

Areas where such disturbance light beams overlap sub-light beams arecreated. For example, it is seen that an area is created where the DVDsub-light beam 041 and the disturbance light beam 050 overlap eachother. Once light beams thus overlap each other on the photodetector,the quantity of light varies greatly due to interference. This causes agreat variation of tracking and focusing error signals which utilizedetected signals based on sub-light beams, thus making it impossible toeffect a stable position controlling operation.

Since the light beam of a DVD (660 nm) is shorter in wavelength thanthat of a CD (785 nm), the disturbance light beams 050 and 051 becomeslightly smaller in diffraction angle than the DVD sub-light beams 041and 042.

If light intensities of two light beams are assumed to be a² and b²,there is established a relation such that a light quantity Icorresponding to an interference variation of the two light beams isexpressed by the following equation (7):I=a ² +b ²+2ab cos(kσ)  (7)where k stands for the number of waves and σ stands for a difference inoptical path length between two light beams.

In the actual diffraction grating, a disturbance light beam is generatedonly slightly. For example, in the case where the quantity of lightincidence on the diffraction grating is 100, it is assumed that 91 mainlight beams, 8 sub-light beams and only 1 disturbance light beam aregenerated. The disturbance light beam is only about 1% relative to themain light beam, but is about 10% relative to the sub-light beams. Ifthis relation is applied to the equation (7) (a²=8, b²=1), it followsthat the quantity of light I varies a maximum of about 15 and a minimumof about 3 in consideration of the worst variation in optical pathlength. That is, the light quantity of sub-light beams decreases orincreases 50% due to interference, thus making it difficult to generatestable focusing and tracking error signals.

Since in this first embodiment the use of the differential astigmaticmethod is assumed for generation of a focusing error signal, thedetection areas 003, 004, 006 and 007 are each divided in four. In acase of adopting an astigmatic method using only main light beams,however, a mere vertical division in two will do. For example, there maybe adopted a construction wherein E1 and E4, and E2 and E3, are notdivided.

In the photodetector 001, the detection areas 002 and 005 for receivingDVD main light beam 010 and CD main light beam 013 respectively are eachdivided in four and DPD may be adopted for generation of a trackingerror signal when a DVD-ROM and a CD-ROM are read.

Second Embodiment

In this second embodiment a description will be given of atwo-wavelength multilaser-carrying optical pickup to accommodate anoptical disc apparatus capable of writing and reading a DVD and a CD.

FIG. 3 illustrates the construction of an optical system in an opticalpickup 070. A semiconductor laser of a wavelength of about 660 nm iscommonly employed to read or write data from or to a DVD type opticaldisc. A semiconductor laser of a wavelength of about 785 nm is commonlyemployed to read or write data from or to a CD type optical disc. Atwo-wavelength multilaser 071 is a laser light source carrying two laserchips thereon which are a DVD laser chip 072 adapted to emit a lightbeam with a wavelength of about 660 nm for a DVD and a CD laser chip 073adapted to emit a light beam with a wavelength of about 785 nm for a CD.

Reference will first be made to the DVD optical system. A DVD light beamis emitted as divergent light from the DVD laser chip 072 which isprovided within the two-wavelength multilaser 071. A dotted line 074 inthe figure represents an optical path of the DVD light beam. The DVDlight beam emitted from the DVD laser chip 072 is incident on adiffraction grating 060.

The diffraction grating 060 has a function of splitting a light beaminto three. The three light beams are used for generation of a trackingerror signal by DPP and a focusing error signal by the differentialastigmatic method. The diffraction grating 60 is a lamination of bothdiffraction grating dedicated to a DVD and diffraction grating dedicatedto a CD, including a DVD grating pattern 076 as the diffraction gratingdedicated to a DVD and a CD grating pattern 077 as the diffractiongrating dedicated to a CD.

With this arrangement, the DVD light beam incident on the diffractiongrating 060 is split by the DVD grating pattern 076 into three lightbeams best suited to generation of a tracking error signal by DPP in aDVD. The DVD light beam which has passed through the DVD grating pattern076 then passes through the CD grating pattern 077. The CD gratingpattern 077 actually generates a slight disturbance light beam even ifthe groove depth and duty ratio are set so as to permit 100%transmittance of the DVD light beam ideally.

The DVD light beam which has passed through the CD grating pattern 077is reflected by a beam splitter 078 and is directed to a collimatinglens 079, whereby it is converted to a substantially parallel lightbeam. The DVD light beam which has passed through the collimating lens079 is reflected in a z-direction (a direction perpendicular to thepaper surface) in the figure by a reflection mirror 080 and is condensedonto an optical disc (not shown) by an objective lens 081 mounted on anactuator (not shown).

The DVD light beam is reflected by the optical disc, then passes throughthe objective lens 081, reflection mirror 080, collimating lens 079,beam splitter 078 and a detection lens 082 and reaches a photodetector083. A predetermined astigmatism is imparted to the light beam when itpasses through the beam splitter 078 and is used in detecting a focusingerror signal of the optical disc by the differential astigmatic method.The detection lens 082 functions to not only turn the direction ofastigmatism in a predetermined direction but also determine the size ofa light spot on the photodetector 083. The DVD light beam which has beendirected to the photodetector 083 is used in detecting an informationsignal recorded on the optical disc and also in detecting a positioncontrol signal for the light spot on the optical disc such as a trackingerror signal or a focusing error signal.

Reference will now be made to the CD optical system. A CD light beam isemitted as divergent light from the CD laser chip 073 provided in thetwo-wavelength multilaser 071. A dot-dash line 075 in the figurerepresents an optical path of the CD light beam. The CD light beamemitted from the CD laser chip 073 is incident on the diffractiongrating 060. An output angle of the CD light beam is inclined withrespect to the DVD light beam. This is because the DVD laser chip 072and the CD laser chip are spaced 110 μm from each other in anx-direction in the figure. Therefore, if an incident optical axis of theDVD light beam is assumed to be perpendicular to the center of theobjective lens 081, it follows that the center of the CD light beam isinclined. The spacing 110 μm between the DVD laser chip and the CD laserchip is the spacing which laser manufacturers generally adopt intwo-wavelength multilasers.

As noted above, the diffraction grating 060 has a function of splittinga light beam into three. The three light beams are used for generationof a tracking error signal by DPP and a focusing error signal by thedifferential astigmatic method. The CD light beam incident on thediffraction grating 060 first enters the DVD grating pattern 076. TheDVD grating pattern 076 actually generates a slight disturbance lightbeam even if the groove depth and duty ratio are set so as to permit100% transmittance of the CD light beam ideally. The CD light beam whichhas passed through the DVD grating pattern 076 is incident on the CDgrating pattern 077, whereby it is split into three light beams bestsuited to generation of a tracking error signal by DPP in a CD.

The CD light beam which has passed through the CD grating pattern 077 isreflected by the beam splitter 078 and is directed to the collimatinglens 079, whereby it is converted to a substantially parallel lightbeam. The CD light beam which has pass through the collimating lens 079is reflected in a z-direction (a direction perpendicular to the papersurface) by the reflection mirror 080 and is condensed onto the opticaldisc (not shown) by the objective lens 081 mounted on the actuator (notshown).

The CD light beam is reflected by the optical disc, then passes throughthe objective lens 081, reflection mirror 080, collimating lens 079,beam splitter 078 and detection lens 082 and reaches the photodetector083. A predetermined astigmatism is imparted to the light beam when itpasses through the beam splitter 078 and is used in generating afocusing error signal by the differential astigmatic method. Also forthe CD light beam the detection lens 082 functions to not only turn thedirection of astigmatism in a predetermined direction but also determinethe size of a light spot on the photodetector 083. The CD light beamwhich has been directed to the photodetector 083 is used in detecting aninformation signal recorded on the optical disc and also in detecting aposition control signal for the light spot condensed on the optical discsuch as a tracking error signal or a focusing error signal.

Since the disposed position of the CD laser chip 073 is different fromthat of the DVD laser chip 072, the CD light beam is condensed to aposition different from that of the DVD light beam. Therefore, theoptical pickup using the two-wavelength multilaser needs to use twocolumns of photodetectors.

Thus, in the optical pickup using the two-wavelength multilaser, sincethe optical path of the DVD light beam and that of the CD light beam aresubstantially coincident with each other, the DVD light beam inevitablypasses through not only the DVD grating pattern but also the CD gratingpattern. Likewise, the CD light beam inevitably passes through not onlythe CD grating pattern but also the DVD grating pattern. Consequently,the generation of disturbance light is unavoidable.

In the optical pickup of this embodiment, as described above in thefirst embodiment, a highly accurate and stable detection of bothtracking error signal and focusing error signal can be effected as inthe conventional optical pickup in order to avoid interference of adisturbance light beam with another light beam on the photodetector.

Although a description has been given in this second embodiment of theoptical pickup applicable to an optical disc apparatus which can readand write data from and to a DVD and a CD, it goes without saying thatthe present invention is also applicable to optical pickups for not onlya CD but also high-density optical disc apparatus (BD and HD-DVD) as thenext-generation optical disc apparatus using a blue color emittedsemiconductor laser.

In an information read/write apparatus using a conventional optical pickit is necessary that the quantity of a light beam to be directed to anoptical disc be controlled to a constant quantity in order to effect astable read/write processing. An optical pickup incorporates a device(generally called a front monitor) that detects the quantity of a lightbeam emitted from a laser light source, and the thus detected lightquantity is fed back to the laser light source thereby to exactlycontrol the quantity of light beam to be directed to an optical disc.This has no direct bearing on this embodiment and so reference is notmade hereto, but the optical pickup of this embodiment is alsoapplicable to such an optical pickup with a front monitor disposedtherein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a construction wherein DVD and CD light beams areincident at an angle of 45° on the beam splitter 078. However, the angleof incidence may be smaller than 45°, e.g., 40° or 35°. By thus makingthe angle of incidence smaller than 45° an effect accrues that thedesign of reflection/transmission film characteristics which determine areflection/transmission performance of a DH mirror becomes easier.

Although in this embodiment both DVD and CD diffraction patterns areformed by a single diffraction grating, it goes without saying that twodiffraction gratings may be disposed which are a diffraction gratingdedicated to a DVD and a diffraction grating dedicated to a CD.

Third Embodiment

In accordance with a third embodiment a description will be given belowof a disturbance light beam which is generated by a diffraction gratingwith reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of light beams diffracted by adiffraction grating 060. FIGS. 4A and 4B assume an ideal case. FIG. 4Ashows a case where a DVD light beam is incident and FIG. 4B shows a casewhere a CD light beam is incident.

For recording to both a DVD and a CD, the diffraction grating 060 isformed with two grating patterns which are a DVD grating pattern 076 anda CD grating pattern 077 since a diffraction grating best suited togeneration of a tracking error signal in a DVD is different from that ina CD.

Reference will first be made to FIG. 4A. When a DVD light beam isincident on the diffraction grating 060, 0-order diffracted light(passing as it is without being diffracted), + first-order diffractedlight and − first-order diffracted light are generated at the DVDgrating surface 076. In an ideal case, the three 0-, + first- and −first-order diffracted light split at the DVD grating surface 076 passthrough the CD grating pattern 077 without being diffracted. It followsthat when the DVD light beam incident on the diffraction grating 060emanates from the same diffraction grating, three light beams areoutputted. The 0-order diffracted light corresponds to the main lightbeam 010 and the + and − first-order diffracted light correspond to thesub-light beams 011 and 012.

Reference will now be made to FIG. 4B. When directed to the diffractiongrating 060, a CD light beam passes through the ideal DVD gratingsurface 076 without being diffracted. Upon incidence on the CD gratingpattern 077, 0-order diffracted light (passing as it is without beingdiffracted) and + and − first-order diffracted light are generated.Therefore, three light beams are outputted when the CD light beamincident on the diffraction grating 060 emanates from the samediffraction grating. In the CD optical system, the 0-order diffractedlight corresponds to the main light beam 013 and the + and − first-orderdiffracted light correspond to the sub-light beams 014 and 015respectively.

Since the CD grating pattern 077 is wider in grating pitch than the DVDgrating pattern 076, the + and − first-order diffracted light beams of aCD are narrower in diffraction angle than the + and − first-orderdiffracted light beams of a DVD.

The DVD grating pattern is given wavelength selectivity so as not to bediffracted at the wavelength (785 nm) of the CD light beam and the CDgrating pattern is given wavelength selectivity so as not to bediffracted at the wavelength (660 nm) of the DVD light beam. Such anexclusive action (wavelength selectivity) can be attained by formingeach grating pattern such that the groove depth is larger than that ofan ordinary diffraction grating and the duty ratio of the grating pitchis deviated from 0.5.

Actually, however, due to a production error (variations), it isimpossible to impart a perfect wavelength selectivity to each gratingpattern.

FIGS. 5A and 5B schematically illustrate light beams diffracted by thediffraction grating 060. FIGS. 5A and 5B assume an actual case. FIG. 5Ashows diffraction in a case of incidence of a DVD light beam and FIG. 5Bshows diffraction in a case of incidence of a CD light beam.

Unlike the ideal case of FIG. 4A, a DVD light beam incident on thediffraction grating 060 is diffracted by the CD diffraction pattern 077and a disturbance light beam, which is an unnecessary light beam, isgenerated, as shown in FIG. 5A. Since the CD grating pattern 077 iswider in grating pitch than the DVD grating pattern 076, the disturbancelight beam is smaller in output angle than the + and − first-orderdiffracted light beams.

The disturbance light beam which the DVD light beams generates bydiffraction through the CD grating pattern 077 corresponds to thedisturbance light beams 020 and 021.

Likewise, unlike the ideal case of FIG. 4B, a CD light beam incident onthe diffraction grating 060 is diffracted by the DVD grating pattern 067and a disturbance light beam, which is an unnecessary light beam, isgenerated. Since the DVD grating pattern 076 is narrower in gratingpitch than the CD grating pattern 077, the disturbance light beam islarger in output angle than the + and − first-order diffracted lightbeams.

The disturbance light beam which the CD light beam generates through theDVD grating pattern 076 corresponds to the disturbance light beams 022and 023. Generally, an output angle θ of a diffracted light beamsatisfies the relation represented by the following arithmeticexpression (8):d sin θ=nλ(n=0, 1, 2, . . . )  (8)where d stands for the grating pitch of a diffraction grating pattern, λstands for wavelength, and n stands for an n-order of diffraction. Thatis, the output angle θ of the + and − first-order diffracted light beamsis in a relation such that the larger the wavelength, the larger theoutput angle, and the larger the grating pitch d, the smaller the outputangle.

In such a construction using a diffraction grating having two gratingsurfaces or using two diffraction gratings on the same optical path, thegeneration of a disturbance light beam is unavoidable. Therefore, in thephotodetector described above in connection with FIG. 1, detection areasare arranged in such a manner that the disturbance light beam does notcontribute to the interference on the photodetector.

Although in this embodiment the DVD grating pattern 076 is disposed onthe side close to the incidence plane of the diffraction grating 060 andthe CD grating pattern 077 is disposed on the side close to the outputplane of the diffraction grating, it goes without saying that the DVDgrating pattern may be disposed on the side close to the output plane ofthe diffraction grating.

The following description is now provided about the details of thediffraction pattern according to this embodiment. FIGS. 6A and 6B showdiffraction patterns of the diffraction grating 060. FIG. 6A shows theDVD grating pattern 076 and FIG. 6B shows the CD grating pattern 077.The DVD grating pattern corresponds to DVD±R/RW and the CD gratingpattern corresponds to CD-R/RW.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the DVD grating pattern 076 has a grating pitch ofd1, the angle of which is inclined by θ_(DVD). On the other hand, asshown in 6B, the CD grating pattern 077 has a grating pitch of d2, theangle of which is inclined by θ_(CD). The illustrated diffractiongrating is characteristic in that the pitches d1 and d2 are madedifferent from each other to avoid overlapping of the disturbance lightbeam with the sub-light beams. In particular, if d1 is set to be smallerthan d2, an advantage accrues that detection areas can be arranged smallon the photodetector. This point will be explained later.

The DVD grating pattern 076 and the CD grating pattern 077 are inclinedat different angles (θ_(DVD) and θ_(CD)), respectively. This is becausean optimal angle in performing DPP is different between a DVD and a CD.

That is, the diffraction grating according to this embodiment is alamination of two grating patterns, which patterns are different ingrating pitch and pitch angle from each other. The use of such adiffraction grating brings about an effect that it is possible to detecta highly accurate and stable tracking error signal by DPP which signalis free of mutual disturbance light beam-based interference between aDVD and a CD.

Next, with reference to FIG. 7, a description will be given of thereason why grating patterns are different in pitch angle for effectingan optimal DPP in both a DVD and a CD. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustratelayouts of spots on an optical disc. FIGS. 7A and 7B show a DVD-R and aCD-R, respectively. In the DVD-R, guide grooves 080 are formed as inFIG. 7A. Data are to be recorded along the guide grooves 080. Thespacing of adjacent guide grooves 080 in DVD-R is as extremely small as0.74 μm. As described above, DPP is a technique wherein sub-light spotsare spaced one half of a guide groove apart in the radial direction ofthe optical disc from a main light spot on the optical disc. Therefore,also in FIG. 7A, sub-light spots 082 and 083 are spaced one half of aguide groove apart in the radial direction (right and left direction inthe figure) of the optical disc relative to a main light spot 081.Therefore, in a DVD-R, the angle of the main light spot 081 and thesub-light spots 082, 083 is inclined at θ_(DVD) relative to thedirection parallel to the guide grooves.

In the CD-R shown in FIG. 7B, the spacing between adjacent guide grooves090 is as large as 1.6 μm in comparison with that in DVD-R. Therefore,to perform DPP it is necessary that sub-light spots 092 and 093 bespaced one half of a guide groove apart in the radial direction (rightand left direction) of the optical disc relative to a main light spot091 as shown in the figure. In the CD-R, the angle of the main lightspot 091 and the sub-light spots 902, 093 is inclined at θ_(CD),relative to the direction parallel to the guide grooves, which isdifferent from θ_(DVD). That is, the guide groove spacing is differentbetween the DVD-R and CD-R, so that, a three-beam angle on the disc bestsuited to DPP is also different between the DVD-R and CD-R. For thisreason, two grating patterns are required to effect recording by theoptical pickup using the two-wavelength multilaser with respect to boththe DVD-R and CD-R.

Fourth Embodiment

A description will be given of a diffraction grating mounted on atwo-wavelength multilaser-carrying optical pickup applicable to a supermulti-type optical disc apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. Thefourth embodiment is new in that a DVD grating pattern 099 differentfrom the DVD grating pattern 076 in the third embodiment is used,whereby it is possible to implement an optical pickup capable of beingmounted on a super multi-type optical disc apparatus.

Standards on the DVD include DVD-R/RW, DVD-RAM and DEV-ROM. An opticaldisc apparatus capable of meeting all of these DVD and CD standards iscalled a super multi-type optical disc apparatus. In particular,DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM are discs of different standards in guide groovespacing. In DPP, as noted earlier, it is necessary that a main lightbeam and sub-light beams be directed to predetermined positions on adisc. Accordingly, an irradiation position of the main light beam isdifferent form those of the sub-light beams on a guide groove spacingbasis. This produces a problem in that DPP cannot be applied to a discof a standard different in guide groove spacing.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the grating patterns of a diffraction grating 060.FIGS. 8A and 8B show the DVD grating pattern 099 and the CD gratingpattern 077, respectively. An explanation of the CD grating pattern willhere be omitted because it is the same grating pattern as in the thirdembodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the DVD grating pattern 099 has a grating pitch d1like that of the DVD grating pattern 076 in FIG. 6A, but the pitch is anangle-free pitch. Consequently, a relative angle between the DVD gratingpattern and the CD grating pattern is inclined at θ_(CD). Thediffraction grating is characterized in that d1 and d2 are differentpitches and are set so as not to cause an overlap between a disturbancelight beam and sub-light beams on the photodetector 001. In particular,if d1 is set to be smaller than d2, an effect is provided that detectionareas can be arranged small on the photodetector. This point will beexplained later.

The DVD grating pattern 099 is divided into three areas A, B and C,which are grating patterns different in phase from one another by 90°.Specifically, the areas A and C are in a phase shift of approximately90° relative to a light beam. The areas B and C are in a phase shift ofapproximately 90° relative to a light beam. The areas A and B arearranged respectively at both ends of the grating pattern 099, and thearea C is disposed between the areas A and B. With use of thisdiffraction grating it is possible to detect tracking error signals bythe phase difference DPP. That is, tracking error signals can bedetected from both a DVD-R/RW and a DVD-RAM. Thus, a super multi-typeoptical pickup can be implemented by laminating the DVD grating pattern099 and a linear diffraction grating inclined by the grating angle ofθ_(CD).

Fifth Embodiment

A description will be given of a two-wavelength multilaser-carryingoptical pickup for a super multi-type optical disc apparatus accordingto a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates the construction of an optical system in an opticalpickup 100. Components of the same functions as in the optical system ofthe second embodiment are identified by the same reference numerals asin the optical system.

As in the second embodiment, a two-wavelength multilaser 071 is a laserlight source carrying two laser chips thereon which are a DVD laser chip072 adapted to emit a light beam having a wavelength of about 660 nm fora DVD and a CD laser chip 073 adapted to emit a light beam having awavelength of about 785 nm for a CD.

Reference will first be made to a DVD optical system. A DVD light beamis emitted as divergent light from the DVD laser chip 072 providedwithin the two-wavelength multilaser 071. A dotted line 074 in thefigure represents an optical path of the DVD light beam. The DVD lightbeam emitted from the DVD laser chip 072 is incident on a collimatinglens 079, whereby it is converted to a substantially parallel lightbeam. The light beam then enters a diffraction grating 060. Thediffraction grating 060 is provided with a DVD grating pattern 099 whichcan generate an optimal tracking error signal by a phase difference DPPmethod and a CD grating pattern 077 which can generate a tracking errorsignal by DPP in a CD.

According to this construction, the DVD light beam incident on thediffraction grating 060 is split by the DVD grating pattern 099 intothree optimal light beams by the phase difference DPP method. The DVElight beam which has passed through the DVD grating pattern 099 thenpasses through the CD grating pattern 077. Ideally the CD gratingpattern 077 is designed to permit 100% transmission of the DVD lightbeam, but actually generates a disturbance light beam slightly.

The DVD light beam which has passed through the CD grating pattern 077is reflected by the beam splitter 078, then is reflected in az-direction (a direction perpendicular to the paper surface) by areflection mirror 080 and is condensed onto an optical disc (not shown)by an objective lens 081.

The DVD light beam is reflected by the optical disc, then passes throughthe objective lens 081, reflection mirror 080, beam splitter 078,detection lenses 105 and 107, and reaches a photodetector 082. Apredetermined astigmatism is imparted to the DVD light beam when passingthrough the beam splitter 078 and is used in generating a focusing errorsignal by the differential astigmatic method. The detection lenses 105and 107 function to not only turn the direction of astigmatism in apredetermined direction but also determine the size of a light spot onthe photodetector 082.

The use of the two detection lenses also brings about an effect that thespacing between the beam splitter 078 and the photodetector 082 can bemade small.

The DVD light beam which has been directed to the photodetector 082 isused for detection of an information signal recorded on the optical discand for detection of a position control signal for a light spot on theoptical disc such as a tracking error signal or a focusing error signal.

Next, a CD optical system will be described. A CD light beam is emittedas divergent light from the CD laser chip 073 disposed within thetwo-wavelength multilaser 073. A dotted line 075 in the figurerepresents an optical path of the CD light beam. The CD light beamemitted from the CD laser chip 073 is incident on the collimating lens079, whereby it is converted to a generally parallel light beam. Anoutput angle of the CD light beam is inclined in comparison with the DVDlight beam, but this is because the DVD laser chip 072 and the CD laserchip are spaced 110 μm apart from each other in a y-direction in thefigure. Therefore, if it is assumed that an optical axis of the DVDlight beam is incident perpendicularly on the center of the objectivelens 081, it follows that the center of the CD light beam is inclined.

The light beam which has passed through the collimating lens 079 isincident on the diffraction grating 060 and then passes through the DVDgrating pattern 099. Ideally the DVD grating pattern 090 is designed topermit 100% transmission of the CD light beam, but actually generates adisturbance light beam slightly. The CD light beam which has passedthrough the DVD grating pattern 099 is incident on the CD gratingpattern 077, whereby it is split into three light beams best suited toDPP for a CD.

The CD light beam which has passed through the CD grating pattern 077 isreflected by the beam splitter 078, then is reflected in a z-direction(a direction perpendicular to the paper surface) in the figure by thereflection mirror 080 and is condensed onto the optical disc (not shown)by the objective lens 081 mounted on an actuator (not shown).

The CD light beam is reflected by the optical disc, then passes throughthe objective lens 081, reflection mirror 080, beam splitter 078,detection lenses 105 and 107, and reaches the photodetector 082. The CDlight beam is also given a predetermined astigmatism when passing troughthe beam splitter 078 and is used for generation of a focusing errorsignal by the differential astigmatic method. The detection lenses 105and 107 function to not only turn the direction of astigmatism in apredetermined direction but also determine the size of a light spot onthe photodetector 082. The use of two detection lenses brings about aneffect that the spacing between the beam splitter 078 and thephotodetector can be made small. The CD light beam which has beendirected to the photodetector 082 is used for detection of aninformation signal recorded on the optical disc and for detection of aposition control signal for a light spot on the optical disc such as atracking error signal or a focusing error signal.

Thus, in the optical pickup carrying the two-wavelength multilaserthereon, the optical path of the DVD light beam is substantiallycoincident with that of the CD light beam. Accordingly, the DVD lightbeam inevitably passes through not only the DVD grating pattern but alsothe CD grating pattern. Likewise, the CD light beam inevitably passesthrough not only the CD grating pattern but also the DVD gratingpattern. Therefore, the generation of a disturbance light beam isunavoidable.

In the optical pickup according to this embodiment, the interference ofa disturbance light beam with another light beam on the photodetector isavoided as described in the first embodiment, whereby it is possible togenerate highly accurate and stable tracking error signal and focusingerror signal as in the conventional optical pickup.

The optical pickup 100 of the fifth embodiment is different from theoptical pickup 070 of the second embodiment in a positional relationamong the diffraction grating 060, collimating lens 079 and beamsplitter 078. According to the construction of the optical pickup 100,an outputted light beam is first incident on the collimating lens 079,then incident on the diffraction grating 060 and lastly incident on thebeam splitter 078. That is, the diffraction grating 060 is disposed in aposition in which the light beam emitted from the laser light sourceenters the diffraction grating 060 after converted to a parallel lightbeam by the collimating lens 079. In addition, the laser light beamemitted from the laser light source passes through the collimating lens079, diffraction grating 060, beam splitter 078 and objective lens 081in this order and enters the optical information recording medium. Withthis construction, the diffraction grating 077 is disposed behind thecollimating lens 079, so that a generally parallel light beam isincident on the diffraction grating. It follows that the diffractiongrating 077 is disposed in a position where the effective diameter ofthe light beam is the largest.

Since the DVD grating pattern is a pattern divided in three, if an erroroccurs between the center of the light beam and that of the diffractiongrating, a problem will arise in that the amplitude of the tacking errorsignal decreases.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate the relationship between the DVD gratingpattern 099 and a light beam incident thereon. FIG. 10A shows a casewhere an effective diameter of an incident light beam is small and FIG.10B shows a case where the effective diameter is large. The width of anarea C in the DVD grating pattern 099 is set at a predetermined ratiorelative to the effective diameter. In FIG. 10A, the width A of the areaC is small because a light beam 120 of a small effective diameter isincident on the DVD grating pattern 099. Conversely, in FIG. 10B, thewidth B of the area C is larger than the width A because a light beam121 larger in effective diameter than the light beam 120 is incident onthe DVD grating pattern 099.

When the optical pickup is assembled, a mounting error in the right andleft direction in the figure of the DVD grating pattern is unavoidableand a positional error occurs between the center of a light beam andthat of the DVD grating pattern. This error results in a decrease of TESsignal amplitude. Once a mounting error δ occurs, the center of a lightbeam and that of the DVD grating pattern 099 are deviated from eachother by an amount of δ. In FIG. 10A if it shifts by an amountcorresponding to the mounting error δ, the light beam 120 moves to theposition of the light beam 122, while in FIG. 10B if it shifts by anamount corresponding to the mounting error δ, the light beam 121 movesto the position of the light beam 123. In a case of occurrence of thesame mounting error δ as in the figure, the shift between the light beam122 and the area C looks large because the effective diameter of thelight beam 122 is small. On the other hand, the shift between the lightbeam 123 and the area C looks small because the effective diameter ofthe light beam 123 is large. Thus, in a case of a large effectivediameter, the component mounting error is less influential. Therefore,if the diffraction grating 077 is disposed behind the collimating lens079 as in FIG. 9 and if a construction is adopted wherein the effectivediameter of the light beam incident on the diffraction grating 07 ismade large, an effect of diminishing the influence of the componentmounting error can be provided.

If the diffraction grating 077 is disposed behind the collimating lens079 as in the fifth embodiment, the influence of the component mountingerror can be minimized because the effective diameter of the light beamincident on the diffraction grating 077 can be made largest. Since theeffect of diminishing the influence of the component mounting error canbe obtained by enlarging the effective diameter of the light beamincident on the diffraction grating 077, for example the diffractiongrating 077 may be disposed between the collimating lens 079 and thetwo-wavelength multilaser 071. In this case, the closer to thecollimating lens 079 the diffraction grating 077 is disposed, the lessinfluential can be made the component mounting error.

Although in this fifth embodiment a description has been given of theoptical pickup for an optical disc apparatus capable of reading andwriting from and to a DVD and a CD, it goes without saying that thepresent invention is applicable to an optical pickup for not only a CDbut also the next-generation high-density optical disc apparatus (BD andHD-DVD) using a blue color emitted semiconductor laser.

In an information read/write apparatus using a conventional opticalpickup, it is necessary that the light quantity of a light beam to bedirected to an optical disc be controlled constant in order to effect astable read/write processing. Further, a device (generally called afront monitor) which detects the light quantity of a light beam emittedfrom a laser light source is provided within the optical pickup and thedetected amount of light is fed back to the laser light source, wherebythe light quantity of the light beam to be directed to the optical discis controlled accurately. It goes without saying that the optical pickupof this embodiment is employable as the optical pickup using the frontmonitor although reference is not made thereto because this has nodirect bearing on this embodiment.

Although in this embodiment both a DVD grating pattern and a CD gratingpattern are formed in one diffraction grating, it goes without sayingthat two diffraction gratings may be used which are a diffractiongrating dedicated to a DVD and a diffraction grating dedicated to a CD.

Sixth Embodiment

A description will be given of a signal output from a photodetectoraccording to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 11 illustrates a detection patternof a photodetector 150 and an internal connection.

The photodetector 150 includes six detection areas 151, 152, 153, 154,155 and 156. Each of the detection areas is divided in four. Thedetection area 151 has detection surfaces A, B, C, D, the detection area152 has detection surfaces E1, E2, E3, E4, the detection area 153 hasdetection surfaces F1, F2, F3, F4, the detection area 155 has detectionsurfaces A′, B′, C′, D′, the detection area 156 has detection surfacesE′1, E′2, E′3, E′4, and the detection area 157 has detection surfacesF′1, F′2, F′3, F′4. If all of signals detected from these detectionsurfaces of the detection areas are to be outputted to the exterior, itis necessary to provide twenty-four output pins. On this regard, thisembodiment is characterized in that the number of output pins is reducedto eight by calculating output signals in the interior of thephotodetector 150. The following description is now provided about thecalculation performed for reducing the number of output pins.

Output signals from the detection surfaces A and A′ are added to eachother in an adder 157 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150and a resulting signal of (A+A′) is outputted from an output pin 158.

Output signals from the detection surfaces B and B′ are added to eachother in an adder 159 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150and the resulting signal of (A+A′) from an output pin 160.

Output signals from the detection surfaces C and C′ are added to eachother in an adder 161 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150and the resulting signal of (A+A′) are output from an output pin 162.

Output signals from the detection surfaces D and D′ are added to eachother in an adder 163 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150and the resulting signal of (A+A′) is output from an output pin 164.

Output signals from the detection surfaces E1 and E′1 are added to eachother in an adder 165 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,output signals from the detection surfaces F1 and F′1 are added to eachother in an adder 166 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,and then the signals outputted from the adders 165 and 166 are added toeach other in an adder 167 disposed in the interior of the photodetector150, whereby the resulting signal of (E1+E′1+F1+F′1) is outputted froman output pin 168.

Output signals from the detection surfaces E2 and E′2 are added to eachother in an adder 169 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,output signals from the detection surfaces F2 and F2′ are added to eachother in an adder 170 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,and then signals outputted from the adders 169 and 170 are added to eachother in an adder 171 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,whereby the resulting signal of (E2+E′2+F2+F′2) is outputted from anoutput pin 172.

Output signals from the detection surfaces E3 and E′3 are added to eachother in an adder 173 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,output signals from the detection surfaces F3 and F′3 are added to eachother in an adder 174 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,and then signals outputted from the adders 173 and 174 are added to eachother in an adder 175 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,whereby the resulting signal of (E3+E′3+F3+F′3) is outputted from anoutput pin 176.

Output signals from the detection surfaces E4 and E′4 are added to eachother in an adder 177 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,output signals from the detection surfaces F4 and F′4 are added to eachother in an adder 178 disposed in the interior of the photodetector, andthen signals outputted from the adders 177 and 178 are added to eachother in an adder 179 disposed in the interior of the photodetector 150,whereby the resulting signal of (E3+E′3+F3+F′3) is outputted from anoutput pin 180.

Various detected signals can be obtained by the following equations (9)to (14):Total DVD main lightquantity=P158+P160+P162+P164=A+B+C+D+A′+B′+C′+D′=A+B+C+D  (9)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a DVD, the laser lightsource for a CD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 154 and 155.Total CD main lightquantity=P158+P160+P162+P164=A+B+C+D+A′+B′+C′+D′=A′+B′+C′+D′  (10)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a CD, the laser lightsource for a DVD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 151, 152 and 153.DVD focusing errorsignal=[(P158+P162)−(P160+P164)]+k×[(P168+P176)−(P172+P180)]=[(A+C)−(B+D)]+k×{[(E1+E3)−(E2−E4)]+[(F1+F3)−(F2+F4)]}+[(A′+C′)−(B′+D′)]+k′×{[(E′1+E′3)−(E′2−E′4)]+[(F′1+F′3)−(F′2+F′4)]}=[(A+C)−(B +D)]+k×{[(E1+E3)−(E2+E4)]+[(F1+F3)−(F2+F4)]}  (11)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a DVD, the laser lightsource for a CD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 154, 155 and 156.CD focusing errorsignal=[(P158+P162)−(P160+P164)]+k×[(P168+P176)−(P172+P180)]=[(A+C)−(B+D)]+k×{[(E1+E3)−(E2+E4)]+[(F1+F3)−(F2+F4)]}+[(A′+C′)−(B′+D′)]+k′×{[(E′1+E′3)−(E′2−E′4)]+[(F′1+F′3)−(F′2+F′4)]}=[(A′+C′)−(B′+D′)]+k×{[(E′1+E′3)−(E′2+E′4)]+[(F′1+F′3)−(F′2+F′4)]}  (12)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a CD the laser lightsource for a DVD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 151, 152 and 153.DVD tracking errorsignal=[(P158+P164)−(P160+P162)]+k×[(P168+P180)−(P172+P176)]=[(A+D)−(B+C)]−k×{[(E1+E4)−(E2+E3)]+[(F1+F4)−(F2+F3)]}+[(A′+D′)−(B′+C′)]−k′×{[(E′1+E′4)−(E′2−E′3)]+[(F′1+F′4)−(F′2+F′3)]}=[(A+D)−(B +C)]−k×{[(E1+E4)−(E2+E3)]+[(F1+F4)−(F2+F3)]}  (13)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a DVD, the laser lightsource for a CD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 154, 155 and 156.CD tracking errorsignal=[(P158+P164)−(P160+P162)]+k×[(P168+P180)−(P172+P176)]=[(A+D)−(B+C)]−k×{[(E1+E4)−(E2+E3)]+[(F1+F4)−(F2+F3)]}+[(A′+D′)−(B′+C′)]−k′×{[(E′1+E′4)−(E′2+E′3)]+[(F′1+F′4)−(F′2+F′3)]}=[(A′+D′)−(B′+C′)]−k′×{[(E′1+E′4)−(E′2+E′3)]+[(F′1+F′4)−(F′2+F′3)]}  (14)

Here, in a case of writing to and reading from a CD, the laser lightsource for a DVD is not turned ON and so no detected signals are outputfrom the detection areas 151, 152 and 153.

In the above equations, k and k′ stand for coefficients for correcting alight quantity ratio between main and sub-light beams.

Seventh Embodiment

A description will be given of an optical disc apparatus 200 on whichthe optical pickup described above is mounted, in accordance with aseventh embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of the optical disc apparatus 200for write and read on which an optical pickup 070 is mounted. Signalsdetected from the optical pickup 070 are fed to a servo signalgeneration circuit 207, a front monitor circuit 206 and an informationsignal reproduction circuit 208. In the servo signal generation circuit207, a focusing error signal and a tracking error signal suitable foreach optical disc are generated from the detected signals. The servosignals thus produced are fed as necessary from a control circuit 212 toan actuator driving circuit 203 to drive an objective lens actuatordisposed within the optical pickup 070, whereby the position of theobjective lens is controlled. The front monitor circuit 206 detects alight quantity monitor signal of the laser light source on the basis ofa detected signal provided from the front monitor and drives a laserlight source control circuit 205 in accordance with the detected lightquantity monitor signal to control the quantity of light on an opticaldisc 213 accurately. In the information signal reproduction circuit 208,an information signal recorded on the optical disc 213 is reproducedfrom the above detected signal and is outputted to an information signaloutput terminal 210.

When inputted from a recording information signal input terminal 211, arecording information signal is converted to a predetermined laserdriving recording signal in a recording information signal converter209. The laser driving recording signal is fed to the control circuit212 to drive the laser light source control circuit 205, therebycontrolling the quantity of light in the laser light source and allowingthe recording signal to be recorded onto the optical disc 213. An accesscontrol circuit 202 and a spindle motor driving circuit 201 areconnected to the control circuit 212 to respectively control theposition in an access direction of the optical pickup 070 and controlthe rotation of a spindle motor 214 for the optical disc 213.

The control circuit 212 has a function of determining the type of theoptical disc 213 which is set in accordance with for example thefocusing error signal produced from the servo signal generation circuit207. The control circuit 212 determines which photodetector for a DVD orfor a CD is to be made valid and which of a DVD light beam and a CDlight beam is to be outputted, then drives a DVD/CD switching circuit.

Eighth Embodiment

In an eighth embodiment a description will be given of the reason whythe detection areas on the photodetector can be arranged small by makingthe grating pitch d2 of the grating pattern 077 for a CD smaller thanthe grating pitch d1 of the grating pattern 076 for a DVD.

FIGS. 13A and 13B schematically illustrate irradiated positions of lightspots on the photodetector. FIG. 13A illustrates a case where thegrating pitch d2 is smaller than the grating pitch d1 and FIG. 13Billustrates a case where the grating pitch d2 is larger than the gratingpitch d1.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a state in which DVD main light beam 010, DVDsub-light beams 011,012, CD main light beam 013, CD sub-light beams 014,015 and disturbance light beams 020, 021, 022, 023 are directed onto thephotodetector.

In FIG. 13A, since d2 is smaller than d1, the CD sub-light beams 014 and015 are smaller in diffraction angle than the DVD sub-light beams 011and 012 and are directed to positions close to the light beam center. Inconnection with the diffraction angle, reference has been made above tothe relational expression (7).

Since the CD is longer in wavelength than the DVD, the disturbance lightbeams 020 and 021 are directed to positions closer to the light beamcenter than the CD sub-light beams 014 and 015. The spacing between thedisturbance light beam 020 and the sub-light beams 014 and that betweenthe disturbance light beam 021 and the sub-light beam 015 are eachassumed to be Δ1.

Likewise, the disturbance light beams 022 and 023 are directed topositions distant from the light beam center in comparison with the DVDsub-light beams 011 and 012. The spacing between the disturbance lightbeam 022 and the DVD sub-light beam 011 and that between the disturbancelight beam 023 and the DVD sub-light beam 012 are each assumed to be Δ2.Since the smaller the grating pitch, the larger the diffraction angle,Δ2 will be larger than Δ1. In the case where the grating pitch d2 issmaller than the grating pitch d1 as in FIG. 13A, the size of the entirelight receiving area in the photodetector is determined by the DVDsub-light beams 011 and 012 and is represented by symbol Da as shown inthe same figure.

In the case of FIG. 13B, since d2 is larger than d1, the CD sub-lightbeams 014 and 015 is larger in diffraction angle than the DVD sub-lightbeams 011 and 012 and are directed to positions closer to the light beamcenter.

Since the CD is longer in wavelength than the DVD, the disturbance lightbeams 020 and 021 are directed to positions closer to the light beamcenter than the CD sub-light beams 014 and 015. Conversely to the caseof FIG. 13A, the spacing between the disturbance light beams 020 and theCD sub-light beam 014 and that between the disturbance light beam 021and the CD sub-light beam 015 are each Δ1.

Likewise, the disturbance light beams 022 and 023 are directed topositions closer to the light beam center than the DVD sub-light beams011 and 012. The spacing between the disturbance beam 022 and the DVDsub-light beam 011 and that spacing between the disturbance beam 023 andthe DVD sub-light beam 012 are each set at Δ1. It is like the case ofFIG. 13A that Δ2 is larger than Δ1, because the smaller the gratingpitch, the larger the diffraction angle. In the case where d2 is largerthan d1 as in FIG. 13B, the size of the entire light receiving area inthe photodetector is determined by the CD sub-light beams 014 and 015and is represented by symbol Db as shown in the same figure.

As is seen from a comparison between the above cases of FIGS. 13A and13B, Da is shorter than Db. This is attributable to the wavelengths ofthe DVD and CD. In order to make the size of the entire light receivingarea in the photodetector small, the grating pitch d1 of the DVD gratingpattern needs only to be smaller than the grating pitch d2 of the CDgrating pattern.

Thus, the two-wavelength multilaser-carrying optical pickup embodyingthe present invention can generate highly accurate tracking error signaland focusing error signal free of any variation in light quantity causedby interference.

Ninth Embodiment

In a ninth embodiment a description will be given about a modificationof the optical pickup described in the second embodiment. FIG. 15illustrates the construction of an optical system in an optical pickup300. The optical pickup 300 carries thereon a diffraction grating 301 ofa construction different from that of the diffraction grating 060 in theoptical pickup 070 of the second embodiment.

Like the diffraction grating 060, the diffraction grating 301 has afunction of splitting a light beam and the split light beams are used ingenerating a tracking error signal by DPP. However, although thediffraction grating 060 has two grating surfaces, i.e., a DVD gratingpattern 076 and a CD grating pattern 077, while the diffraction grating301 has only one grating surface, i.e., a grating pattern 302 common toboth a DVD and a CD. In this point the diffraction grating 301 isdifferent from the diffraction grating 060.

There are various types of optical discs and optical disc recording isgenerally such that a large quantity of light is directed to an opticaldisc for changing the composition of an area irradiated with light. Forhigh-speed recording to an optical disc it is necessary to emit a largerquantity of light to the optical disc. Recently, multi-layer opticaldiscs are also available on the market, requiring emission of a largerquantity of light to the discs. Generally, the quantity of light to bedirected to an optical disc is determined by the product of the quantityof light emitted from a laser light source, as well as the transmissionefficiency of optical parts disposed between the laser light source andthe optical disc, and the coupling efficiency of an objective lens.Thus, the transmission efficiency of the optical parts must be madelarger.

In the case where two grating surfaces free of wavelength selectivityare present, a light beam is diffracted in each of the two gratingsurfaces, so that a decrease in the quantity of light of a main lightbeam (0-order diffracted light which contributes to recording to anoptical disc) is large and the transmission efficiency is small. Thatis, it becomes impossible to transfer a sufficient quantity of light tothe optical disc. In view of this point, by imparting wavelengthselectivity to each of the two grating surfaces and thereby minimizingthe occurrence of a disturbance light beam, it is possible to attain atransmission efficiency equal to that in the conventional opticalpickup. For this reason, reference has been made in the third embodimentto an example of using a diffraction grating having wavelengthselectivity. However, since the element having wavelength selectivity isprovided with two grating surfaces, the diffraction gratingmanufacturing process becomes long and it is difficult to attain thereduction of cost. By providing one grating surface as in thediffraction grating 301 of the optical pickup 300, it is possible toattain a simple diffraction grating high in transmission efficiency asin the prior art and capable of attaining the reduction of cost. Ofcourse, if the diffraction grating 301 is used without any improvement,it is impossible to effect DPP in both the DVD and CD. The followingdescription is now made of the grating pattern 302 common to both a DVDand a CD.

FIG. 16 illustrates the grating pattern 302 common to both a DVD and aCD. FIG. 16A is a schematic diagram showing the construction of thecommon grating pattern 302 and FIG. 16B is a schematic diagram showinglight beams split upon incidence of a light beam on the common gratingpattern 302.

First, with reference to FIG. 16A, a description will be given of theconstruction of the common grating pattern 302. The common gratingpattern 302 is divided into two areas which are a DVD optimum pattern303 and a CD optimum pattern 304. The DVD optimum pattern 303 has thesame grating pitch d1 and angle θ_(DVD) as those of the DVD gratingsurface 076 and the CD optimum pattern 304 has the same grating pitch d2and angle θ_(CD) as those of the CD grating surface 077. It ispreferable that the boundary between the DVD optimum pattern 303 and theCD optimum pattern 304 be made coincident with an objective lens shiftdirection. By so doing, it becomes possible to generate a tracking errorsignal (push-pull signal) and it is also possible to obtain an effectthat detected signal variations at the time of shifting an objectivelens can be suppressed.

Next, with reference to FIG. 16B, a description will be given of a lightbeam incident on the diffraction grating 301 and a light beam outputtedfrom the same diffraction grating. The center of an incident light beam310 is put in alignment with the boundary between the DVD optimumpattern 303 and the CD optimum pattern 304. This is because theamplitudes of tracking error signals in a DVD and a CD can bewell-balanced. The incident light beam 310 is split into a light beam311 as 0-order diffracted light passing the grating without beingdiffracted, a light beam 312 as + first-order diffracted light and alight beam 313 as − first-order diffracted light both incident on theDVD optimum pattern 303, a light beam 314 as + first-order diffractedlight and a light beam 315 as − first-order diffracted light bothincident on the CD optimum pattern 304. The reason why the light beams312, 313, 314 and 315 are each smaller in size than the light beam 311is that a single grating surface has two patterns like the commongrating pattern 302. Further, the reason why the light beams 312 and 313split by the DVD optimum pattern 303 travel in a large angle directionrelative to the traveling direction of the light beam 311 is that thegrating pitch d1 of the DVD optimum pattern 303 is narrow.

FIG. 17 schematically illustrates light beams directed to thephotodetector 001 in the optical pickup 300.

Upon incidence of a DVD light beam on the diffraction grating 301, asdescribed above in connection with FIG. 16B, the light beam is splitinto DVD main light beam 311D (corresponding to the light beam 311), DVDsub-light beams 312D (corresponding to the light beam 312) and 313D(corresponding to the light beam 313), and DVD disturbance light beams314D (corresponding to the light beam 314) and 315D (corresponding tothe light beam 315). At this time, the DVD main light beam 311D isdirected to a detection area 002, the DVD sub-light beam 312D isdirected to a detection area 003, and the DVD sub-light beam 313D isdirected to a detection area 004, while the DVD disturbance light beams314D and 315D are prevented from being received by the photodetector.

Likewise, upon incidence of a CD light beam on the diffraction grating301, the light beam is split into CD main light beam 311C (correspondingto the light beam 311), CD sub-light beams 314C (corresponding to thelight beam 314) and 315C (corresponding to the light beam 315), and CDdisturbance light beams 312C (corresponding to the light beam 312) and313C (corresponding to the light beam 313). At this time, the CD mainlight beam 311C is directed to a detection area 005, the CD sub-lightbeam 314C is directed to a detection area 006, and the CD sub-light beam315C is directed to a detection area 007. Further, the CD disturbancelight beam 312C is prevented from being received by the photodetector.

When reference is made to the DVD sub-light beam 312D as an example, itis seen that division is made to detection surfaces E1+E4 and E2+E3. Inorder generate a tracking error signal (especially a push-pull signal)it is necessary to use a differential output between the detectionsurfaces E1+E4 and E2+E3 as in the foregoing equations (5) and (6).Therefore, the boundary between the DVD optimum pattern 303 and the CDoptimum pattern 304 is aligned with the objective lens shift directionso that division is made like the detection surfaces E1+E4 and E2+E3.The diffraction grating is divided vertically in the figure, while thesub-light beams on the photodetector are divided right and left. This isbecause astigmatism is used for detecting a focusing error signal.

As noted above, the boundary between the DVD optimum pattern 303 and theCD optimum pattern 304 is aligned with the objective lens shiftdirection so that the DVD sub-light beams 312D, 313D and the CDsub-light beams 314C, 315C can generate a tracking error signal(push-pull signal).

The DVD sub-light beam 312D and the CD sub-light beam 314C are symmetricin the figure. This is because the center of the incident light beam 310and the boundary between the DVD optimum pattern 303 and the CD optimumpattern 304 are made coincident with each other. For example, when thecenter of the incident light beam 310 is deviated to the side of the DVDoptimum pattern 303, the CD sub-light beam 314C on the photodetectorbecomes smaller and conversely the DVD sub-light beam 312D becomeslarger. For example, when the CD sub-light beam 314C becomes smaller, sodoes the amplitude of the CD tracking error signal. Conversely, theamplitude of the DVD tracking error signal becomes larger. Therefore, bymaking the DVD optimum pattern 303 and the CD optimum pattern 304coincident with respect to the boundary, the DVD sub-light beam 312D andthe CD sub-light beam 314C can be made symmetric and the amplitudes ofboth DVD and CD tracking error signals can be well-balanced.

By thus improving the diffraction grating as in FIG. 16A, with only onegrating surface, it is possible to attain an optimal DPP in each of theDVD and CD. As a matter of course, in a case of using such a diffractiongrating as shown in FIG. 16A, it is necessary to use such aphotodetector as shown in FIG. 1 so as to prevent overlapping of adisturbance light beam with a sub-light beam on the photodetector.

In such a DVD/CD common grating pattern as shown in FIG. 16A, since onlyone grating surface is present, it is possible to attain transmissionefficiency almost equal to that of the diffraction grating provided withtwo grating surfaces having wavelength selectivity.

Because of a single grating surface, the fabrication of the diffractiongrating is easy and the reduction of cost can be attained.

Tenth Embodiment

According to a tenth embodiment a description will be given of amodification of the photodetector 001 described in the first and ninthembodiments. FIG. 18 schematically illustrates a photodetector 350. Thephotodetector 350 has detection surfaces of detection areas 003, 004,005 and 006 different from those of the photodetector 001.

Each detection area is divided in two. A detection area 002 hasdetection surfaces E5 and E6, a detection area 003 has detectionsurfaces F5 and F6, a detection area 005 has detection surfaces E′5 andE′6, and a detection area 006 has detection surfaces F′5 and F′6. Forthe detection areas 003 and 004, as in the ninth embodiment, a DVDsub-light beam 312D is directed to the detection area 003 and a DVDsub-light beam 313D is directed to the detection area 004. At this time,DVD disturbance light beams 314D and 315D are not received by thephotodetector.

Also for the detection areas 005 and 006, as in the ninth embodiment, aCD sub-light beam 314C is directed to the detection area 005 and a CDsub-light beam 315C is directed to the detection area 006. At this time,CD disturbance light beams 312C and 313C are not received by thephotodetector.

The optical pickup assumes the adoption of DPP for generation of atracking error signal and the astigmatic method for generation of afocusing error signal. In this optical pickup, the sub-light beamreceiving area is used only for generation of a tracking error signal(push-pull signal). Therefor, the sub-light beam receiving area needsonly to be divided in two in a direction (the vertical direction in thefigure) which permits detection of a tracking error signal (push-pullsignal) from a sub-light beam. Thus, the detection areas 002, 003, 005and 006 are each of a mere bisected construction of its detectionsurface. Of course, unless a disturbance light beam is devised not toenter each detection area as in FIG. 18, it will become impossible togenerate a stable tracking error signal and a focusing error signal.Detected signals can be obtained in accordance with the followingequations (15) to (18):DVD focusing error signal=[(A+C)−(B+D)]  (15)CD focusing error signal=[(A′+C′)−(B′+D′)]  (16)DVD tracking error signal=[(A+D)−(B+C)]−k×[(E5−E6)]+[(F5−F6)]  (17)CD tracking errorsignal=[(A′+D′)−(B′+C′)]−k′×[(E′5−E′6)]+[(F′5−F′6)]  (18)where k and k′ stand for coefficients for correcting a light quantityratio between main and sub-light beams. Unlike the first embodiment, thelight quantity of the sub-light beam 312D is about half of that of thesub-light beam 003 and therefore the magnitude of k is different fromthat in the first embodiment.

By using such a photodetector 350 as in the eighteenth embodiment it ispossible to make the number of divided detection areas smaller than inthe use of the photodetector 001, so that the internal connection ismade simpler and it is possible to implement a photodetector easy to befabricated.

How to generate a required focusing error signal and a tracking errorsignal differ depending on the optical disc used. However, the divisionof detection areas may be done as desired as is the case with thephotodetector 350 insofar as the detection areas are arranged so as toprevent entry of a disturbance light beam into the detection areas as inthe photodetector 001.

Eleventh Embodiment

In an eleventh embodiment a description will be given of modificationsof the diffraction grating described in the ninth embodiment. FIGS. 19Ato 19D illustrate various modifications of the DVD/CD common gratingpattern in the diffraction grating 301.

FIG. 19A illustrates a grating pattern 355 common to both a DVD and aCD. Like the common grating pattern 302, the common grating pattern 355is also of a single grating surface construction, but is different fromthe common grating pattern 302 in that a CD optimum pattern 304 issandwiched in between DVD optimum patterns 303. It is preferable thatthe center of the CD optimum pattern 304 and that of an incident lightbeam be aligned with each other and that the boundaries between the CDoptimum pattern 304 and the DVD optimum patterns 303 be made coincidentwith the objective lens shift direction.

The use of the DVD/CD common grating pattern 355 can afford an effectthat the feedthrough of a tracking error signal into a focusing errorsignal in the differential astigmatic method can be minimized.

More specifically, both first grating pattern areas formed with firstgrating patterns and a second grating pattern area formed with a secondgrating pattern are disposed within a single plane and the secondgrating pattern area is disposed between the first grating patternareas. Thus, an effect is provided of minimizing feedthrough of atracking error signal to a focusing error signal when the differentialastigmatic method is used.

FIG. 19B illustrates a grating pattern 356 common to both a DVD and aCD. The common grating pattern 356 is also of a single grating surfacelike the common pattern 302, but is different from the common gratingpattern 302 in that CD optimum patterns 304 and DVD optimum patterns 303are arranged in an alternate manner. If plural patterns are thusarranged on a single grating surface, it is no longer required to makealignment between the center of an incident light beam and the center ofthe diffraction grating in the arrowed direction. By thus increasing thenumber of areas, the light quantity of a diffracted light beam can beaveraged and therefore a mounting adjustment in the arrowed direction ofthe diffraction grating becomes unnecessary. That is, the optical pickupcan be fabricated easily. Although divided into five in the arroweddirection in FIG. 19B, the grating pattern 356 may be divided into fouror six.

FIG. 19C illustrates a grating pattern 357 common to both a DVD and aCD. The common grating pattern 357 is also of a single grating surfaceconstruction like the common grating pattern 302, but is different fromthe common grating pattern 302 in that a DVD optimum pattern 360different from the DVD optimum pattern 303 is disposed. The DVD optimumpattern 360 is the same grating pattern as the DVD grating pattern 099and permits the adoption of a phase difference DPP method for generationof a DVD tracking error signal. That is, since the phase difference DPPmethod is employable for detection of a tracking error signal, it ispossible to be compatible with a super multi-type optical discapparatus.

FIG. 19D illustrates a grating pattern 358 common to both a DVD and aCD. The common grating pattern 358 is also of a single grating surfaceconstruction like the common grating pattern 357, but is different fromthe common grating pattern 357 in that a CD optimum pattern 304 issandwiched in between DVD optimum patterns 360. It is preferable thatthe center of the CD optimum pattern 304 and that of an incident lightbeam be aligned with each other and that the boundaries of the CDoptimum pattern 304 and the DVD optimum pattern 360 be made coincidentwith the objective lens shift direction.

By using the common grating pattern 358 it is possible to obtain aneffect that the feedthrough of a tracking error signal into a focusingerror signal in the differential astigmatic method can be suppressed.Besides, the use of the DVD optimum pattern 360 permits the adoption ofthe phase difference DPP for detection of a tracking error signal and itbecomes possible to be compatible with a super multi-type optical discapparatus.

More specifically, in the optical pickup which carries thereon thediffraction grating of the common grating pattern 358 shown in FIG. 19D,the DVD/CD super multi-type can be handled and it is possible to let amain light beam be directed to an optical disc with high efficiency;besides, a feedthrough suppressing effect can be provided in thedifferential astigmatic method.

When the DVD optimum patterns 304, 360 and CD optimum pattern 304 shownin FIGS. 19A to 19D are arranged on a single grating surface, thegrating surface is divided equally; however, the width may be setarbitrarily such as, for example, the width of the CD optimum pattern304 being wide and that of the DVD optimum pattern 360 narrow.

Preferably, the grating pitch d1 of the diffraction grating is set atabout one half of the grating pitch d2. This is for the followingreason. The disturbance light beam 020 on the photodetector ispositioned just midway between the detection areas 002 and 003 and thedisturbance light beam 021 is positioned just midway between thedetection areas 002 and 004; therefore, an effect can be provided thatit is most difficult for the disturbance light beams to enter thedetection areas even if the objective lens shift is taken into account.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance withour invention, it should be understood that disclosed embodiments aresusceptible of changes and modifications without departing from thescope of the invention. Therefore, we do not intend to be bound by thedetails shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changesand modifications as fall within the ambit of the appended claims.

1. A photodetector comprising: a first light receiving area to receive alight beam emitted from a laser light source of a first wavelength andsplit by first and second diffraction gratings; and a second lightreceiving area to receive a light beam emitted from a laser light sourceof a second wavelength longer than said first wavelength and split bythe first and second diffraction gratings; wherein said first lightreceiving area is disposed at a position where, when a light beam isemitted from said laser light source of the first wavelength, the lightbeam split by said first diffraction grating enters the first lightreceiving area and the light beam split by said second diffractiongrating does not enter the first light receiving area, and said secondlight receiving area is disposed at a position where, when a light beamis emitted from said laser light source of the second wavelength, thelight beam split by said first diffraction grating does not enter thesecond light receiving area and the light beam split by said seconddiffraction grating enters the second light receiving area.
 2. Aphotodetector according to claim 1, wherein the light beams split bysaid first and second diffraction gratings are each first-orderdiffracted light of the light beam.
 3. A photodetector according toclaim 1, wherein said first diffraction grating has wavelengthselectivity of selecting said first wavelength and said seconddiffraction grating has wavelength selectivity of selecting said secondwavelength.
 4. A photodetector according to claim 1, wherein said firstlight receiving area is disposed at a position where 0-order diffractedlight and first-order diffracted light of the light beam of said firstwavelength split by said first diffraction grating are received andfirst-order diffracted light split by said second diffraction grating isnot received, and said second light receiving area is disposed at aposition where 0-order diffracted light and fist-order diffracted lightof the light beam of said second wavelength split by said seconddiffraction grating are received and first-order diffracted light splitby said first diffraction grating is not received.
 5. A photodetectoraccording to claim 1, wherein said first light receiving area comprisesone light receiving area to receive 0-order diffracted light of thelight beam of said first wavelength and two light receiving areas toreceive first-order diffracted light of the light beam, said two lightreceiving areas to receive said first-order diffracted light being eachdisposed at a position that first-order diffracted light of the lightbeam of said second wavelength does not enter, and said second lightreceiving area comprises one light receiving area to receive 0-orderdiffracted light of the light beam of said second wavelength and twolight receiving areas to receive first-order diffracted light of thelight beam, said two light receiving areas to receive said first-orderdiffracted light being each disposed at a position that first-orderdiffracted light of said first wavelength does not enter.
 6. Aphotodetector comprising: a first light receiving area to receive onelight beam as 0-order diffracted light out of at least three light beamsresulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser lightsource of a first wavelength and subsequent reflection by a firstoptical information recording medium; second and third light receivingareas each adapted to receive two light beams as first-order diffractedlight out of the light beams reflected by said first optical informationrecording medium; a fourth light receiving area to receive one lightbeam as 0-order diffracted light beam out of at least three light beamsresulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser lightsource of a second wavelength longer than said first wavelength andsubsequent reflection by a second optical information recording medium;and fifth and sixth light receiving areas each adapted to receive twolight beams as first-order diffracted light out of the light beamsreflected by said second optical information recording medium; wherein adistance from said second light receiving area to said third lightreceiving area is longer than a distance from said fifth light receivingarea to said sixth light receiving area.
 7. A photodetector according toclaim 6, wherein the light beam of said first wavelength and the lightbeam of said second wavelength are emitted from said laser light sourceof the first wavelength and said laser light source of the secondwavelength, respectively, both mounted on one and the same laser chip.8. A photodetector according to claim 6, wherein the light beam emittedfrom said laser light source of the first wavelength is diffracted byboth a first diffraction grating to diffract the light beam of the firstwavelength and a second diffraction grating to diffract the light beamof the second wavelength and is then incident on said first, second andthird light receiving areas, and the light beam emitted from said laserlight source of the second wavelength is diffracted by both said firstand second diffraction gratings and is then incident on said fourth,fifth and sixth light receiving areas.
 9. A photodetector according toclaim 6, wherein the light beam of the first wavelength diffracted bysaid second diffraction grating is directed to an area located betweensaid first and second light receiving areas and also to an area locatedbetween said first and third light receiving areas.
 10. A photodetectoraccording to claim 6, wherein the light beam of the second wavelengthdiffracted by said first diffraction grating is directed to an arealocated outside said fifth light receiving area with respect to saidfourth light receiving area and also to an area located outside saidsixth light receiving area with respect to said fourth light receivingarea.
 11. An optical disc apparatus comprising: a photodetector todetect laser light; a diffraction grating to split said laser light; anda controller to control read and/or write in accordance with an outputprovided from said photodetector, wherein said photodetector comprises:a first light receiving area to receive a light beam emitted from alaser light source of a first wavelength and split by a firstdiffraction grating pattern area and a second diffraction gratingpattern area; and a second light receiving area to receive a light beamemitted from a laser light source of a second wavelength longer thansaid first wavelength and split by said first and second diffractiongrating pattern areas, said first light receiving area being disposed ata position where, when the light beam is emitted from said laser lightsource of the first wavelength, the light beam split by said firstdiffraction grating pattern area enters the first light receiving areaand the light beam split by said second diffraction grating pattern areadoes not enter the first light receiving area, said second lightreceiving area being disposed at a position where, when the light beamis emitted from said laser light source of the second wavelength, thelight beam split by said first diffraction grating pattern area does notenter the second light receiving area and the light beam split by saidsecond diffraction grating pattern area enters the second lightreceiving area; and wherein in said diffraction grating, said seconddiffraction grating pattern area is disposed intermediate said firstdiffraction grating pattern.
 12. An optical disc apparatus according toclaim 11, wherein the light beam split by said first and seconddiffraction grating pattern areas is first-order diffracted light of thelight beam.
 13. An optical disc apparatus according to claim 11, whereinsaid first light receiving area is disposed at a position where 0-orderdiffracted light and first-order diffracted light of the light beam ofsaid first wavelength split by said first diffraction grating patternarea are received and first-order diffracted light split by said seconddiffraction grating pattern area is not received, and said second lightreceiving area is disposed at a position where 0-order diffracted lightand first-order diffracted light of the light beam of said secondwavelength split by said second diffraction grating pattern area are notreceived and first-order diffracted light split by said firstdiffraction grating pattern area is not received.
 14. An optical discapparatus according to claim 11, wherein said first light receiving areacomprises one light receiving area to receive 0-order diffracted lightof the light beam of said first wavelength and two light receiving areasto receive first-order diffracted light of the light beam, said twolight receiving areas to receive said first-order diffracted light beingdisposed at a position that first-order diffracted light of the lightbeam of said second wavelength does not enter, and said second lightreceiving area comprises one light receiving area to receive 0-orderdiffracted light of the light beam of said second wavelength and twolight receiving areas to receive first-order diffracted light of thelight beam, said two light receiving areas to receive said first-orderdiffracted light being disposed at a position that first-orderdiffracted light of the light beam of said first wavelength does notenter.